Plitvice National Park in Croatia is considered to be one of the most beautiful natural sights in Europe. Due to its natural beauty and significance, this system of 16 interlinked lakes and a large forest complex around it were set aside as a national park in 1949. In 1979 the park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
ttraction in the late 19th century. The first hotel was built there in 1896, and as early as 1893 it already had a conservation committee - the predecessor of today's national park authority. In 1949 the communist government of Yugoslavia nationalized the lakes and made them a national park. The park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979 in recognition of its "outstanding natural beauty, and the undisturbed production of travertine (tuff) through chemical and biological action".Plitvice National Parkis composed of sixteen interlocking lakes that are generally visited in two groups: the Upper lakes and the Lower lakes. The lakes are supplied with water from three rivers called the Crna and Bijela (Black and White) rivers and the Rjecica. The largest of the rivers is the Black River. A number of subterranean sources also feed the lakes as well as a web of aboveground brooks, tributaries and springs. After tumbling over waterfalls the lake waters flow in the Korana river.
The distances between the lakes can involve long stretches of hilly terrain which is why the park admission ticket includes a bus ride bus to the Upper lakes (driving is forbidden) and a boat to visit the larger lakes. I recommend taking a bus to Okrugljak lake (where the road ends) and then walking down.
A well-laid out system of wooden walkways allows you to pass all around and sometimes through the water and there are hiking trails through the woods.There's no swimming in the lakes however. Plitvice Lakes National Park is home to 120 species of birds as well as deer, boar and the occasional bear or two.
There are only three hotels in Plitvice National Park but you have a good choice of inexpensive private accommodation if you stay in Rastovaca a small village within the park or Korana, a small village 6km north of the main entrance. Another option is to stay in nearby Grabovac which is only 12km north of the park. You will have a great time exploring Plitvice National Park. There are hotels, restaurants and campsites inside the park as well, so you can have a comfortable and relaxed visit, although you may run out of things to do after one or two days.
Plitvice is on the main road between Zagreb and Zadar. Combining a visit to Plitvice with a stay along the Croatian coast is possible but I don't recommend it unless you can stay overnight. Another spectacular view from Plitvice National Park:
